diff --git a/pkg/cluster/cluster.go b/pkg/cluster/cluster.go
index f2f3651e7..0ab2906e9 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/cluster.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/cluster.go
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ type Cluster struct {
 	podSubscribersMu sync.RWMutex
 	pgDb             *sql.DB
 	mu               sync.Mutex
+	ctx              context.Context
+	cancelFunc       context.CancelFunc
+	syncMu           sync.Mutex // protects syncRunning and needsResync
+	syncRunning      bool
+	needsResync      bool
 	userSyncStrategy spec.UserSyncer
 	deleteOptions    metav1.DeleteOptions
 	podEventsQueue   *cache.FIFO
@@ -121,9 +126,12 @@ type compareLogicalBackupJobResult struct {
 }
 
 // New creates a new cluster. This function should be called from a controller.
-func New(cfg Config, kubeClient k8sutil.KubernetesClient, pgSpec acidv1.Postgresql, logger *logrus.Entry, eventRecorder record.EventRecorder) *Cluster {
+func New(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, kubeClient k8sutil.KubernetesClient, pgSpec acidv1.Postgresql, logger *logrus.Entry, eventRecorder record.EventRecorder) *Cluster {
 	deletePropagationPolicy := metav1.DeletePropagationOrphan
 
+	// Create a cancellable context for this cluster
+	clusterCtx, cancelFunc := context.WithCancel(ctx)
+
 	podEventsQueue := cache.NewFIFO(func(obj interface{}) (string, error) {
 		e, ok := obj.(PodEvent)
 		if !ok {
@@ -138,6 +146,8 @@ func New(cfg Config, kubeClient k8sutil.KubernetesClient, pgSpec acidv1.Postgres
 	}
 
 	cluster := &Cluster{
+		ctx:            clusterCtx,
+		cancelFunc:     cancelFunc,
 		Config:         cfg,
 		Postgresql:     pgSpec,
 		pgUsers:        make(map[string]spec.PgUser),
@@ -177,6 +187,62 @@ func New(cfg Config, kubeClient k8sutil.KubernetesClient, pgSpec acidv1.Postgres
 	return cluster
 }
 
+// Cancel cancels the cluster's context, which will cause any ongoing
+// context-aware operations (like Sync) to return early.
+func (c *Cluster) Cancel() {
+	if c.cancelFunc != nil {
+		c.cancelFunc()
+	}
+}
+
+// StartSync attempts to start a sync operation. Returns true if sync can start
+// (no sync currently running and context not cancelled). Returns false if a sync
+// is already running (needsResync is set) or if context is cancelled (deletion in progress).
+func (c *Cluster) StartSync() bool {
+	c.syncMu.Lock()
+	defer c.syncMu.Unlock()
+
+	// Check if context is cancelled (deletion in progress)
+	select {
+	case <-c.ctx.Done():
+		return false
+	default:
+	}
+
+	if c.syncRunning {
+		c.needsResync = true
+		return false
+	}
+	c.syncRunning = true
+	c.needsResync = false
+	return true
+}
+
+// EndSync marks the sync operation as complete.
+func (c *Cluster) EndSync() {
+	c.syncMu.Lock()
+	defer c.syncMu.Unlock()
+	c.syncRunning = false
+}
+
+// NeedsResync returns true if a resync was requested while sync was running,
+// and clears the flag. Returns false if context is cancelled (deletion in progress).
+func (c *Cluster) NeedsResync() bool {
+	c.syncMu.Lock()
+	defer c.syncMu.Unlock()
+
+	// Check if context is cancelled (deletion in progress)
+	select {
+	case <-c.ctx.Done():
+		return false
+	default:
+	}
+
+	result := c.needsResync
+	c.needsResync = false
+	return result
+}
+
 func (c *Cluster) clusterName() spec.NamespacedName {
 	return util.NameFromMeta(c.ObjectMeta)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/cluster_test.go b/pkg/cluster/cluster_test.go
index d78d4c92e..cf5f4aae1 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/cluster_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/cluster_test.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ var logger = logrus.New().WithField("test", "cluster")
 // 1 cluster, primary endpoint, 2 services, the secrets, the statefulset and pods being ready
 var eventRecorder = record.NewFakeRecorder(7)
 
-var cl = New(
+var cl = New(context.Background(), 
 	Config{
 		OpConfig: config.Config{
 			PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func TestCreate(t *testing.T) {
 	client.Postgresqls(clusterNamespace).Create(context.TODO(), &pg, metav1.CreateOptions{})
 	client.Pods(clusterNamespace).Create(context.TODO(), &pod, metav1.CreateOptions{})
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -1629,7 +1629,7 @@ func TestCompareLogicalBackupJob(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -1778,7 +1778,7 @@ func TestCrossNamespacedSecrets(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ConnectionPooler: config.ConnectionPooler{
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/connection_pooler_test.go b/pkg/cluster/connection_pooler_test.go
index 78d1c2527..cda965e9a 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/connection_pooler_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/connection_pooler_test.go
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func noEmptySync(cluster *Cluster, err error, reason SyncReason) error {
 
 func TestNeedConnectionPooler(t *testing.T) {
 	testName := "Test how connection pooler can be enabled"
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ func TestConnectionPoolerCreateDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ConnectionPooler: config.ConnectionPooler{
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ func TestConnectionPoolerSync(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ConnectionPooler: config.ConnectionPooler{
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ func TestConnectionPoolerSync(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestConnectionPoolerPodSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	testName := "Test connection pooler pod template generation"
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
@@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ func TestConnectionPoolerPodSpec(t *testing.T) {
 		ConnectionPooler:              &acidv1.ConnectionPooler{},
 		EnableReplicaConnectionPooler: boolToPointer(true),
 	}
-	var clusterNoDefaultRes = New(
+	var clusterNoDefaultRes = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
@@ -780,7 +780,7 @@ func TestConnectionPoolerPodSpec(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestConnectionPoolerDeploymentSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	testName := "Test connection pooler deployment spec generation"
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
@@ -983,7 +983,7 @@ func TestPoolerTLS(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -1063,7 +1063,7 @@ func TestPoolerTLS(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestConnectionPoolerServiceSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	testName := "Test connection pooler service spec generation"
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/database.go b/pkg/cluster/database.go
index 56b5f3638..4f3d5c775 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/database.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/database.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cluster
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"database/sql"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
@@ -121,26 +122,31 @@ func (c *Cluster) initDbConn() error {
 	if c.pgDb != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-
 	return c.initDbConnWithName("")
 }
 
-// Worker function for connection initialization. This function does not check
-// if the connection is already open, if it is then it will be overwritten.
-// Callers need to make sure no connection is open, otherwise we could leak
-// connections
+// initDbConnWithName initializes a database connection using the cluster's context.
+// This function does not check if the connection is already open.
 func (c *Cluster) initDbConnWithName(dbname string) error {
+	return c.initDbConnWithNameContext(c.ctx, dbname)
+}
+
+// initDbConnWithNameContext initializes a database connection with an explicit context.
+// Use this when you need a custom context (e.g., different timeout, or context.Background()
+// for operations that should not be cancelled). This function does not check if the
+// connection is already open, callers need to ensure no connection is open to avoid leaks.
+func (c *Cluster) initDbConnWithNameContext(ctx context.Context, dbname string) error {
 	c.setProcessName("initializing db connection")
 
 	var conn *sql.DB
 	connstring := c.pgConnectionString(dbname)
 
-	finalerr := retryutil.Retry(constants.PostgresConnectTimeout, constants.PostgresConnectRetryTimeout,
+	finalerr := retryutil.RetryWithContext(ctx, constants.PostgresConnectTimeout, constants.PostgresConnectRetryTimeout,
 		func() (bool, error) {
 			var err error
 			conn, err = sql.Open("postgres", connstring)
 			if err == nil {
-				err = conn.Ping()
+				err = conn.PingContext(ctx)
 			}
 
 			if err == nil {
@@ -268,9 +274,7 @@ func findUsersFromRotation(rotatedUsers []string, db *sql.DB) (map[string]string
 	}()
 
 	for rows.Next() {
-		var (
-			rolname, roldatesuffix string
-		)
+		var rolname, roldatesuffix string
 		err := rows.Scan(&rolname, &roldatesuffix)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("error when processing rows of deprecated users: %v", err)
@@ -331,9 +335,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) cleanupRotatedUsers(rotatedUsers []string) error {
 // getDatabases returns the map of current databases with owners
 // The caller is responsible for opening and closing the database connection
 func (c *Cluster) getDatabases() (dbs map[string]string, err error) {
-	var (
-		rows *sql.Rows
-	)
+	var rows *sql.Rows
 
 	if rows, err = c.pgDb.Query(getDatabasesSQL); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not query database: %v", err)
@@ -551,9 +553,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) getOwnerRoles(dbObjPath string, withUser bool) (owners []strin
 // getExtension returns the list of current database extensions
 // The caller is responsible for opening and closing the database connection
 func (c *Cluster) getExtensions() (dbExtensions map[string]string, err error) {
-	var (
-		rows *sql.Rows
-	)
+	var rows *sql.Rows
 
 	if rows, err = c.pgDb.Query(getExtensionsSQL); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not query database extensions: %v", err)
@@ -598,7 +598,6 @@ func (c *Cluster) executeAlterExtension(extName, schemaName string) error {
 }
 
 func (c *Cluster) execCreateOrAlterExtension(extName, schemaName, statement, doing, operation string) error {
-
 	c.logger.Infof("%s %q schema %q", doing, extName, schemaName)
 	if _, err := c.pgDb.Exec(fmt.Sprintf(statement, extName, schemaName)); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("could not execute %s: %v", operation, err)
@@ -610,9 +609,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) execCreateOrAlterExtension(extName, schemaName, statement, doi
 // getPublications returns the list of current database publications with tables
 // The caller is responsible for opening and closing the database connection
 func (c *Cluster) getPublications() (publications map[string]string, err error) {
-	var (
-		rows *sql.Rows
-	)
+	var rows *sql.Rows
 
 	if rows, err = c.pgDb.Query(getPublicationsSQL); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not query database publications: %v", err)
@@ -668,7 +665,6 @@ func (c *Cluster) executeAlterPublication(pubName, tableList string) error {
 }
 
 func (c *Cluster) execCreateOrAlterPublication(pubName, tableList, statement, doing, operation string) error {
-
 	c.logger.Debugf("%s %q with table list %q", doing, pubName, tableList)
 	if _, err := c.pgDb.Exec(fmt.Sprintf(statement, pubName, tableList)); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("could not execute %s: %v", operation, err)
@@ -743,7 +739,6 @@ func (c *Cluster) installLookupFunction(poolerSchema, poolerUser string) error {
 			constants.PostgresConnectTimeout,
 			constants.PostgresConnectRetryTimeout,
 			func() (bool, error) {
-
 				// At this moment we are not connected to any database
 				if err := c.initDbConnWithName(dbname); err != nil {
 					msg := "could not init database connection to %s"
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/k8sres_test.go b/pkg/cluster/k8sres_test.go
index 6bd87366d..7c98eb6f0 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/k8sres_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/k8sres_test.go
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ type ExpectedValue struct {
 }
 
 func TestGenerateSpiloJSONConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
@@ -1143,7 +1143,7 @@ func TestGetNumberOfInstances(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
-		var cluster = New(
+		var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 			Config{
 				OpConfig: tt.config,
 			}, k8sutil.KubernetesClient{}, acidv1.Postgresql{}, logger, eventRecorder)
@@ -1210,7 +1210,7 @@ func TestCloneEnv(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				WALES3Bucket:   "wale-bucket",
@@ -1384,7 +1384,7 @@ func TestStandbyEnv(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{}, k8sutil.KubernetesClient{}, acidv1.Postgresql{}, logger, eventRecorder)
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
@@ -1431,7 +1431,7 @@ func TestNodeAffinity(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	cluster = New(
+	cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -1524,7 +1524,7 @@ func TestPodAffinity(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
-		cluster := New(
+		cluster := New(context.Background(), 
 			Config{
 				OpConfig: config.Config{
 					EnablePodAntiAffinity:                    tt.anti,
@@ -1687,7 +1687,7 @@ func TestTLS(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -1942,7 +1942,7 @@ func TestAdditionalVolume(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -2083,7 +2083,7 @@ func TestVolumeSelector(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	cluster := New(
+	cluster := New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -2182,7 +2182,7 @@ func TestSidecars(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	cluster = New(
+	cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -2491,7 +2491,7 @@ func TestContainerValidation(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			cluster := New(tc.clusterConfig, k8sutil.KubernetesClient{}, acidv1.Postgresql{}, logger, eventRecorder)
+			cluster := New(context.Background(), tc.clusterConfig, k8sutil.KubernetesClient{}, acidv1.Postgresql{}, logger, eventRecorder)
 
 			_, err := cluster.generateStatefulSet(&tc.spec)
 
@@ -2580,7 +2580,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			scenario: "With multiple instances",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb"}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2597,7 +2597,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With zero instances",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb"}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2614,7 +2614,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With PodDisruptionBudget disabled",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb", EnablePodDisruptionBudget: util.False()}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2631,7 +2631,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With non-default PDBNameFormat and PodDisruptionBudget explicitly enabled",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-databass-budget", EnablePodDisruptionBudget: util.True()}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2648,7 +2648,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With PDBMasterLabelSelector disabled",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb", EnablePodDisruptionBudget: util.True(), PDBMasterLabelSelector: util.False()}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2665,7 +2665,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With OwnerReference enabled",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role", EnableOwnerReferences: util.True()}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb", EnablePodDisruptionBudget: util.True()}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2700,7 +2700,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			scenario: "With multiple instances",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb"}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2717,7 +2717,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With zero instances",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb"}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2734,7 +2734,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With PodDisruptionBudget disabled",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role"}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb", EnablePodDisruptionBudget: util.False()}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2751,7 +2751,7 @@ func TestGeneratePodDisruptionBudget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			scenario: "With OwnerReference enabled",
-			spec: New(
+			spec: New(context.Background(), 
 				Config{OpConfig: config.Config{Resources: config.Resources{ClusterNameLabel: "cluster-name", PodRoleLabel: "spilo-role", EnableOwnerReferences: util.True()}, PDBNameFormat: "postgres-{cluster}-pdb", EnablePodDisruptionBudget: util.True()}},
 				k8sutil.KubernetesClient{},
 				acidv1.Postgresql{
@@ -2813,7 +2813,7 @@ func TestGenerateService(t *testing.T) {
 		EnableMasterLoadBalancer: &enableLB,
 	}
 
-	cluster = New(
+	cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -2864,7 +2864,7 @@ func TestGenerateService(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCreateLoadBalancerLogic(t *testing.T) {
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				ProtectedRoles: []string{"admin"},
@@ -3076,7 +3076,7 @@ func TestEnableLoadBalancers(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
-		var cluster = New(
+		var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 			Config{
 				OpConfig: tt.config,
 			}, client, tt.pgSpec, logger, eventRecorder)
@@ -3708,7 +3708,7 @@ func TestGenerateResourceRequirements(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
-		var cluster = New(
+		var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 			Config{
 				OpConfig: tt.config,
 			}, client, tt.pgSpec, logger, newEventRecorder)
@@ -3893,7 +3893,7 @@ func TestGenerateLogicalBackupJob(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
-		var cluster = New(
+		var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 			Config{
 				OpConfig: tt.config,
 			}, k8sutil.NewMockKubernetesClient(), acidv1.Postgresql{}, logger, eventRecorder)
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/pod_test.go b/pkg/cluster/pod_test.go
index 6816b4d7a..854f7e8c2 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/pod_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/pod_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package cluster
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ func TestGetSwitchoverCandidate(t *testing.T) {
 	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
 	defer ctrl.Finish()
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	cluster := New(context.Background(),
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PatroniAPICheckInterval: time.Duration(1),
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/streams_test.go b/pkg/cluster/streams_test.go
index 934f2bfd4..86f26eea5 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/streams_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/streams_test.go
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ var (
 		},
 	}
 
-	cluster = New(
+	cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Auth: config.Auth{
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ func newFabricEventStream(streams []zalandov1.EventStream, annotations map[strin
 func TestSyncStreams(t *testing.T) {
 	newClusterName := fmt.Sprintf("%s-2", pg.Name)
 	pg.Name = newClusterName
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ func TestSameStreams(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestUpdateStreams(t *testing.T) {
 	pg.Name = fmt.Sprintf("%s-3", pg.Name)
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -787,7 +787,7 @@ func patchPostgresqlStreams(t *testing.T, cluster *Cluster, pgSpec *acidv1.Postg
 
 func TestDeleteStreams(t *testing.T) {
 	pg.Name = fmt.Sprintf("%s-4", pg.Name)
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/sync.go b/pkg/cluster/sync.go
index ecf692702..320be6cc6 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/sync.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/sync.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) Sync(newSpec *acidv1.Postgresql) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	//TODO: mind the secrets of the deleted/new users
+	// TODO: mind the secrets of the deleted/new users
 	if err = c.syncSecrets(); err != nil {
 		err = fmt.Errorf("could not sync secrets: %v", err)
 		return err
@@ -856,7 +856,6 @@ func (c *Cluster) restartInstance(pod *v1.Pod, restartWait uint32) error {
 // AnnotationsToPropagate get the annotations to update if required
 // based on the annotations in postgres CRD
 func (c *Cluster) AnnotationsToPropagate(annotations map[string]string) map[string]string {
-
 	if annotations == nil {
 		annotations = make(map[string]string)
 	}
@@ -1110,7 +1109,8 @@ func (c *Cluster) updateSecret(
 	secretUsername string,
 	generatedSecret *v1.Secret,
 	retentionUsers *[]string,
-	currentTime time.Time) (*v1.Secret, error) {
+	currentTime time.Time,
+) (*v1.Secret, error) {
 	var (
 		secret          *v1.Secret
 		err             error
@@ -1244,7 +1244,8 @@ func (c *Cluster) rotatePasswordInSecret(
 	secretUsername string,
 	roleOrigin spec.RoleOrigin,
 	currentTime time.Time,
-	retentionUsers *[]string) (string, error) {
+	retentionUsers *[]string,
+) (string, error) {
 	var (
 		err                 error
 		nextRotationDate    time.Time
@@ -1469,7 +1470,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) syncDatabases() error {
 	preparedDatabases := make([]string, 0)
 
 	if err := c.initDbConn(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("could not init database connection")
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not init database connection: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer func() {
 		if err := c.closeDbConn(); err != nil {
@@ -1553,7 +1554,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) syncPreparedDatabases() error {
 	errors := make([]string, 0)
 
 	for preparedDbName, preparedDB := range c.Spec.PreparedDatabases {
-		if err := c.initDbConnWithName(preparedDbName); err != nil {
+		if err := c.initDbConnWithNameContext(c.ctx, preparedDbName); err != nil {
 			errors = append(errors, fmt.Sprintf("could not init connection to database %s: %v", preparedDbName, err))
 			continue
 		}
@@ -1697,7 +1698,8 @@ func (c *Cluster) syncLogicalBackupJob() error {
 			}
 			if len(cmp.deletedPodAnnotations) != 0 {
 				templateMetadataReq := map[string]map[string]map[string]map[string]map[string]map[string]map[string]*string{
-					"spec": {"jobTemplate": {"spec": {"template": {"metadata": {"annotations": {}}}}}}}
+					"spec": {"jobTemplate": {"spec": {"template": {"metadata": {"annotations": {}}}}}},
+				}
 				for _, anno := range cmp.deletedPodAnnotations {
 					templateMetadataReq["spec"]["jobTemplate"]["spec"]["template"]["metadata"]["annotations"][anno] = nil
 				}
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/sync_test.go b/pkg/cluster/sync_test.go
index 87e9dc8a5..dda862d67 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/sync_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/sync_test.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func TestSyncStatefulSetsAnnotations(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func TestPodAnnotationsSync(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PatroniAPICheckInterval: time.Duration(1),
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ func TestCheckAndSetGlobalPostgreSQLConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PodManagementPolicy: "ordered_ready",
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ func TestSyncStandbyClusterConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PatroniAPICheckInterval: time.Duration(1),
@@ -844,7 +844,7 @@ func TestUpdateSecret(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// new cluster with enabled password rotation
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Auth: config.Auth{
@@ -988,7 +988,7 @@ func TestUpdateSecretNameConflict(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Auth: config.Auth{
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/util_test.go b/pkg/cluster/util_test.go
index 9cd7dc7e9..e9c3ca1bb 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/util_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/util_test.go
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ func newInheritedAnnotationsCluster(client k8sutil.KubernetesClient) (*Cluster,
 		},
 	}
 
-	cluster := New(
+	cluster := New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				PatroniAPICheckInterval: time.Duration(1),
diff --git a/pkg/cluster/volumes_test.go b/pkg/cluster/volumes_test.go
index 95ecc7624..4d9eb0189 100644
--- a/pkg/cluster/volumes_test.go
+++ b/pkg/cluster/volumes_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestResizeVolumeClaim(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// new cluster with pvc storage resize mode and configured labels
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Resources: config.Resources{
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func TestMigrateEBS(t *testing.T) {
 	namespace := "default"
 
 	// new cluster with pvc storage resize mode and configured labels
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Resources: config.Resources{
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ func TestMigrateGp3Support(t *testing.T) {
 	namespace := "default"
 
 	// new cluster with pvc storage resize mode and configured labels
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Resources: config.Resources{
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ func TestManualGp2Gp3Support(t *testing.T) {
 	namespace := "default"
 
 	// new cluster with pvc storage resize mode and configured labels
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Resources: config.Resources{
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ func TestDontTouchType(t *testing.T) {
 	namespace := "default"
 
 	// new cluster with pvc storage resize mode and configured labels
-	var cluster = New(
+	var cluster = New(context.Background(), 
 		Config{
 			OpConfig: config.Config{
 				Resources: config.Resources{
diff --git a/pkg/controller/postgresql.go b/pkg/controller/postgresql.go
index 22042377e..3a1f748f9 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/postgresql.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/postgresql.go
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func (c *Controller) addCluster(lg *logrus.Entry, clusterName spec.NamespacedNam
 		}
 	}
 
-	cl := cluster.New(c.makeClusterConfig(), c.KubeClient, *pgSpec, lg, c.eventRecorder)
+	cl := cluster.New(context.Background(), c.makeClusterConfig(), c.KubeClient, *pgSpec, lg, c.eventRecorder)
 	cl.Run(c.stopCh)
 	teamName := strings.ToLower(cl.Spec.TeamID)
 
@@ -267,6 +267,7 @@ func (c *Controller) processEvent(event ClusterEvent) {
 		// Check if this cluster has been marked for deletion
 		if !event.NewSpec.ObjectMeta.DeletionTimestamp.IsZero() {
 			lg.Infof("cluster has a DeletionTimestamp of %s, starting deletion now.", event.NewSpec.ObjectMeta.DeletionTimestamp.Format(time.RFC3339))
+			cl.Cancel() // Cancel any ongoing operations
 			if err = cl.Delete(); err != nil {
 				cl.Error = fmt.Sprintf("error deleting cluster and its resources: %v", err)
 				c.eventRecorder.Eventf(cl.GetReference(), v1.EventTypeWarning, "Delete", "%v", cl.Error)
@@ -277,7 +278,6 @@ func (c *Controller) processEvent(event ClusterEvent) {
 			return
 		}
 
-		lg.Infoln("update of the cluster started")
 		err = cl.Update(event.OldSpec, event.NewSpec)
 		if err != nil {
 			cl.Error = fmt.Sprintf("could not update cluster: %v", err)
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ func (c *Controller) processEvent(event ClusterEvent) {
 		// when using finalizers the deletion already happened
 		if c.opConfig.EnableFinalizers == nil || !*c.opConfig.EnableFinalizers {
 			lg.Infoln("deletion of the cluster started")
+			cl.Cancel() // Cancel any ongoing operations
 			if err := cl.Delete(); err != nil {
 				cl.Error = fmt.Sprintf("could not delete cluster: %v", err)
 				c.eventRecorder.Eventf(cl.GetReference(), v1.EventTypeWarning, "Delete", "%v", cl.Error)
@@ -330,8 +331,6 @@ func (c *Controller) processEvent(event ClusterEvent) {
 
 		lg.Infof("cluster has been deleted")
 	case EventSync:
-		lg.Infof("syncing of the cluster started")
-
 		// no race condition because a cluster is always processed by single worker
 		if !clusterFound {
 			cl, err = c.addCluster(lg, clusterName, event.NewSpec)
@@ -346,22 +345,42 @@ func (c *Controller) processEvent(event ClusterEvent) {
 		// has this cluster been marked as deleted already, then we shall start cleaning up
 		if !cl.ObjectMeta.DeletionTimestamp.IsZero() {
 			lg.Infof("cluster has a DeletionTimestamp of %s, starting deletion now.", cl.ObjectMeta.DeletionTimestamp.Format(time.RFC3339))
+			cl.Cancel() // Cancel any ongoing operations
 			if err = cl.Delete(); err != nil {
 				cl.Error = fmt.Sprintf("error deleting cluster and its resources: %v", err)
 				c.eventRecorder.Eventf(cl.GetReference(), v1.EventTypeWarning, "Delete", "%v", cl.Error)
 				lg.Error(cl.Error)
 				return
 			}
-		} else {
-			if err = cl.Sync(event.NewSpec); err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Try to start sync - returns false if sync already running or cluster deleted
+		if !cl.StartSync() {
+			lg.Infof("sync already in progress, will resync when current sync completes")
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Run sync in background goroutine so we can process other events (like delete)
+		lg.Infof("syncing of the cluster started (background)")
+		go func() {
+			defer cl.EndSync()
+
+			if err := cl.Sync(event.NewSpec); err != nil {
 				cl.Error = fmt.Sprintf("could not sync cluster: %v", err)
 				c.eventRecorder.Eventf(cl.GetReference(), v1.EventTypeWarning, "Sync", "%v", cl.Error)
 				lg.Error(cl.Error)
 				return
 			}
+			cl.Error = ""
 			lg.Infof("cluster has been synced")
-		}
-		cl.Error = ""
+
+			// Check if resync was requested while we were syncing
+			if cl.NeedsResync() {
+				lg.Infof("resync requested, queueing new sync event")
+				c.queueClusterEvent(nil, event.NewSpec, EventSync)
+			}
+		}()
 	}
 }
 
@@ -477,6 +496,19 @@ func (c *Controller) queueClusterEvent(informerOldSpec, informerNewSpec *acidv1.
 		}
 	}
 
+	// If the cluster is marked for deletion, cancel any ongoing operations immediately
+	// This unblocks stuck Sync operations so the delete can proceed
+	if informerNewSpec != nil && !informerNewSpec.ObjectMeta.DeletionTimestamp.IsZero() {
+		c.clustersMu.RLock()
+		if cl, found := c.clusters[clusterName]; found {
+			c.logger.WithField("cluster-name", clusterName).Infof(
+				"cluster marked for deletion (DeletionTimestamp: %s), cancelling ongoing operations",
+				informerNewSpec.ObjectMeta.DeletionTimestamp.Format(time.RFC3339))
+			cl.Cancel()
+		}
+		c.clustersMu.RUnlock()
+	}
+
 	if clusterError != "" && eventType != EventDelete {
 		c.logger.WithField("cluster-name", clusterName).Debugf("skipping %q event for the invalid cluster: %s", eventType, clusterError)
 
@@ -566,9 +598,13 @@ func (c *Controller) postgresqlUpdate(prev, cur interface{}) {
 		// Avoid the infinite recursion for status updates
 		if reflect.DeepEqual(pgOld.Spec, pgNew.Spec) {
 			if reflect.DeepEqual(pgNew.Annotations, pgOld.Annotations) {
+				c.logger.WithField("cluster-name", clusterName).Debugf(
+					"UPDATE event: no spec/annotation changes, skipping")
 				return
 			}
 		}
+
+		c.logger.WithField("cluster-name", clusterName).Infof("UPDATE event: spec or annotations changed, queueing event")
 		c.queueClusterEvent(pgOld, pgNew, EventUpdate)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/util/retryutil/retry_util.go b/pkg/util/retryutil/retry_util.go
index 868ba6e98..b5fab3b47 100644
--- a/pkg/util/retryutil/retry_util.go
+++ b/pkg/util/retryutil/retry_util.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package retryutil
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
 )
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ func (t *Ticker) Tick() { <-t.ticker.C }
 
 // Retry is a wrapper around RetryWorker that provides a real RetryTicker
 func Retry(interval time.Duration, timeout time.Duration, f func() (bool, error)) error {
-	//TODO: make the retry exponential
+	// TODO: make the retry exponential
 	if timeout < interval {
 		return fmt.Errorf("timeout(%s) should be greater than interval(%v)", timeout, interval)
 	}
@@ -33,6 +34,18 @@ func Retry(interval time.Duration, timeout time.Duration, f func() (bool, error)
 	return RetryWorker(interval, timeout, tick, f)
 }
 
+// RetryWithContext is like Retry but checks for context cancellation before each attempt.
+func RetryWithContext(ctx context.Context, interval time.Duration, timeout time.Duration, f func() (bool, error)) error {
+	return Retry(interval, timeout, func() (bool, error) {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return false, ctx.Err()
+		default:
+			return f()
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 // RetryWorker calls ConditionFunc until either:
 // * it returns boolean true
 // * a timeout expires
@@ -41,8 +54,8 @@ func RetryWorker(
 	interval time.Duration,
 	timeout time.Duration,
 	tick RetryTicker,
-	f func() (bool, error)) error {
-
+	f func() (bool, error),
+) error {
 	maxRetries := int(timeout / interval)
 	defer tick.Stop()